THE PAST Oh how times have changed in my mechanical life time, an apprenticeship was a minimum five year course or even an indenture for 16 year olds as they left school. The list of apprentice trade courses were very limited. The apprenticeships were taken by employees children or a friend of a friend, so not even advertised. At 17 the opportunity of an apprenticeship had generally passed one by, the chance of getting a skilled trade very limited. Of course there were other